What is the primary difference in visitor activity allowed at Ningaloo Reef versus the Galapagos Islands?
Answer
Ningaloo permits only snorkeling; Galapagos requires diving
There is a significant ecological and regulatory distinction between these two world-renowned sites. Ningaloo Reef in Australia is celebrated for its clear, shallow waters, which facilitates excellent, highly regulated snorkeling encounters focused on surface-level interactions with a broader population. Conversely, the Galapagos encounters around Wolf and Darwin Islands involve deep waters and strong currents, meaning access is strictly limited to diving only, often catering to more scientifically focused missions tracking mature, pregnant females.

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